BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Jerry Carr on May 22, 2010, 04:17:22 PM
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Hello Members,
Can you help me with an Aqua Hot issue. I have had issues with loss of fluid. Recently I brought the coach down to Bend for some repairs.
The service folks found a drain plug was leaking. This we had fixed.
The problem now is I still use or leak fluid during use. I don't see any puddles under the rig, but I would guess I lose about 1/2 quart per 2 weeks.
1. Is it normal to use fluid in normal operations?
2. I also have not been able to locate a source for replacement fluid. Does anyone know of a distributor in the Seattle area?
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We found the hose from the fill cap to the expansion container on the side had aged and cracked and fluid was leaking on the top of the Aqua Hot and evaporating (we guess). Replacement of the inexpensive hose cured the problem.
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We had the same problem on our Hydro Hot and also found the hose to the overflow tank was cracked and leaking. Replaced the hose and all was OK for awhile then we found the pressure cap was also bad. Replaced the cap and no problems for almost a year.
Jim
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Jerry-
If your local True Value outlet doesn't have the Camco propylene glycol -100 Boiler Antifreeze, they can get it for you from their warehouse or Camco distributor. Usually at a far better price than an RV parts dealer - $13/gal Bandon True Value vs. $25/gal Guaranty RV in Eugene. I've often seen it at small town True Value franchises (s.a. Bandon or Christmas Valley, Oregon) when larger True Values (Portland) don't have it; so you may have to be a bit pushy with them, or call several outlying True Values.
-Joel
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Thanks Everyone for your help.
I will check the tubing and also with True Value for Camco propylene glycol -100 Boiler Antifreeze
Jerry
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I had heard that even CAMPING WORLD, which carries Camco, did NOT carry the fluid. That "might" have changed, as the CW I was in had it, so I grabbed one. Check it out also. It was the boiler fluid not antifreeze.
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The last few times I've looked, our area CWs didn't have it, nor did their crew know what it was, which I always thought strange.
And the name is "Camco Boiler Antifreeze -100" on the bottle. Leah wants to be sure you don't confuse it with Camco RV Antifreeze, used for winterizing water systems. Adding the wrong stuff could really mess up your hydronics.
Jerry, be sure to mix the boiler fluid 50/50 with clean water before adding to the tank. You don't need protection down to -100 degrees unless you're shipping your coach to the North Pole. Our resident hydronics expert, Orman Claxton, recommended a 70/30 mix in another forum thread, though I'm not sure which is 70 and which is 30; 50/50 is easy enough for me. Keep in mind also, your tank fluid level changes whether hot or cold, so add fluid accordingly. Consider also that may be part of why you notice what you perceive to be fluid loss, though the bad expansion hose issue is apparently common and a likely culprit. ;)
-Joel
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Hey Joel
Thanks for the additional clarification on the boiler fluid.......they are both pink in color and could easily be confused, although the shape/size of the containers is very different.
I think it was the MESA, AZ Camping World, probably because they have so many "snow birds" down there.
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I purchased some from Holiday Motorhomes either in Fife or Everett. Can't remember when but I will look it up when I arrive back to the garage where my coach is.
Denny
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Jerry
The proper coolant can sometimes be purchased at Camping World, It MUST be Boiler Type.-100 deg. The domestic looks the same
I also stock it,
I am now in the Northwest, I will be here for the next 2 months if any one needs assistance.
As was mentioned by others the leak can be most anywhere, Ie: coolant return line, any place that has a connection.
Feel free to contact me at any time.
Thanks
Orman
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I recently purchased a gallon of 100% propylene glycol (non-toxic) antifreeze from a local auto part store and added about 3 cups to my overflow bottle. The product I purchased was GREEN. It then dawned on me the original mix is pink. Did I make a big mistake here or ? :-/
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Hi Larry,
I have been looking for the camco 100, I did contact true value and they will order this for me in a 6 pack of gallons, they quoted me 14.88 per gallon FOB the store I have also contacted Holiday RV in Fife they have in stock the 1 gallon bottles for 21.00.
On are return to Seattle we stopped at the bend service, here they stock the anti freeze in a 55 gallon barrel so we picked up a gallon jug and had them fill it for 8.50/gallon.
Joel Ashley indicated that this product could be cut with water to a 50/50 mix. I am unsure about this as the product is used as an anti corrosive lubricate. but if Joel is correct then this would make sense I really doubt that we need a -100 product.
I plan to run down to Bend while we are at the FMCA rally and pick up a couple of gallons.
I will also be checking the return lines for leaks as some members have found this to be a common leak area.
I am still loosing about 1 cup per week, I don't see any wet spots on the ground so finding this may be a challenge, for now I will just plan on servicing the system until the leak is more apparent..
I think we may have an Aqua Hot seminar at the FMCA rally?
As far as mixing green product with the red I don't think I would do this
Jerry
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Jerry-
You should send an email to Orman. He may be close enough to you to come and check your system out. Worth a shot.
-Joel
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I did talk with Orman today, he was very helpful and does have anti-freeze. I hope that he will do a seminar at Harrisburg or FMCA during the August meetings.
Jerry
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The last few times I've looked, our area CWs didn't have it, nor did their crew know what it was, which I always thought strange.
And the name is "Camco Boiler Antifreeze -100" on the bottle. Leah wants to be sure you don't confuse it with Camco RV Antifreeze, used for winterizing water systems. Adding the wrong stuff could really mess up your hydronics.
Jerry, be sure to mix the boiler fluid 50/50 with clean water before adding to the tank. You don't need protection down to -100 degrees unless you're shipping your coach to the North Pole. Our resident hydronics expert, Orman Claxton, recommended a 70/30 mix in another forum thread, though I'm not sure which is 70 and which is 30; 50/50 is easy enough for me. Keep in mind also, your tank fluid level changes whether hot or cold, so add fluid accordingly. Consider also that may be part of why you notice what you perceive to be fluid loss, though the bad expansion hose issue is apparently common and a likely culprit. ;)
-Joel
Joel, I am ordering the Camco 32 oz concentrate from Amazon. I am trying to determine how many quarts I should get. 1 quart concentrate to 2 quarts distilled water will make 3 quarts of fluid for protection down to -100. Since the Hurricane is supposed to hold about 4 gallons should get enough to have the full -100 protection or can I dilute it further and do the 50-50 ?
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I'm not familiar with the quart concentrate. The gallon size I've purchased is good to -100F straight up. But I dilute 50/50 which is still protective down to -50F. If you are replacing your entire 4 gallons, that's one thing, but if you are just topping off, having the quart size in reserve sounds ideal - a quart takes up less bay space than my gallon jug, and I'm not sure why you'd want to buy more than one.
Are you sure the quart size is the economical best choice? I haven't checked prices lately. In any case, 50/50 should be just fine if not still overkill - how often do you see -50F in Jerome; Orman's 70/30 is likely 70% water, and I'd guess still protective to -30 or so.
If I understand you right re. the concentrate, 2 qts. water gets you to 3 qts. of the same mix as my gallon version, -100F. So another 3 qts. of water would get you to 6 qts of my 50/50. So you'd need 3 qts. of concentrate to get 18 qts. of 50/50 product; 4 gallons plus a half gallon to pour back into two of your empty Camco quart bottles to carry for occasional topping up. Sound about right?
Two gallon jugs of Camco Boiler regular -100 would dilute to 4 gallons, and I used to get it cheapest at True Value. Camping Worlds around here finally carry it too, but see what the Gooding or Jerome hardware has and price. I'll check Amazon out of curiosity after I sign off here.
Maybe see you guys around this summer if we swing through on a relatives foray.
Joel
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Wow. On Amazon you have to order a whole case of the gallon size? That's not too great in the customer choice dept. :-/
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Jack has the Hurricane out and has flushed out the lines as much as possible to get rid of the green auto antifreeze. Also doing some maintenance on the Hurricane itself as well as the various hoses. So we need to replace fluid in the whole system. Just wasnt sure that 4 gallons was about the right amount that would fill the system and also the concentration of the fluid. Sounds like 4-5 quarts of the concentrate will do the job. Since I have not found it locally the $8.44 per quart with free shipping is not too bad a deal. Plus I go through the BAC portal and make the club a bit of dinero.
Give us a holler when you get over this way!
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Perhaps someone familiar with the Hurricane system here will proffer an opinion on capacity and strengths. Ours is a HydroHot, and it may also depend on how much tubing volume you have in your size coach.
Joel
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I would buy the Boiler fluid at the Bend service center, if you bring in your own empty bottles they would fill them from a bulk barrel, this fluid has been pre-mixed so add no water to it they would charge me $8.00 a gallon. I would fill 3 bottle on each stop. I am not sure if they will still do this since the change over to new owners.
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Camco 35116 Boiler Antifreeze Concentrate - 32 oz is available in the BAC Amazon RV supply Store at the link below
Shop the BAC Amazon store and help support our club.
http://beaveramb.org/Amazom%20Ad/AmazonAd1RVProductsStore.htm
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tim do we get money from all our web page advertisers ? I think we need to suppourt our dealers also.
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Yup, Barb did go through the BAC Amazon portal; and since Jack already flushed the system, a 400+ mile trip to Bend ain't on the schedule. But good for others to know about.
Still waiting for someone with approximate Hurricane capacity for their 40' 2000 Patriot.
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Yes we get money for all of the ads on the main web page. You are right we need to support them and tell them that we saw their ad on the BAC web site.
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Joel, I am ordering the Camco 32 oz concentrate from Amazon. I am trying to determine how many quarts I should get. 1 quart concentrate to 2 quarts distilled water will make 3 quarts of fluid for protection down to -100. Since the Hurricane is supposed to hold about 4 gallons should get enough to have the full -100 protection or can I dilute it further and do the 50-50 ?
The Hurricane must have its working liquid diluted 50/50 or there can be circulation issues. The manual specifically discusses this. The system will take 2-3 gallons of concentrate diluted at 50/50.
However, after the previous discussions on this subject I decided that since the heat exchangers in the Hurricane system were double wall there would be no reason not to use the green automotive glycol instead of the expensive boiler liquid. I refilled mine a few months ago.
Joel
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Hey Everyone
I will be in the NW this year, If anyone needs the Camco -100 Boiler Antifreeze , Let me know,
If I get several orders I can make a pretty good deal for our BAC members,
The Quart size is certainly easier to store, it does make 3 qts after mixing with 2 qts DISTILLED water, I have seen on sale at CW at around $8.50.
The Gallon size is the cheaper way to go, it goes for around $20-$25 a gallon, this mixes 50/50 Distilled water. This will make 2 gal.
Leaks are common at the plastic line between the radiator cap and the overflow bottle, the standard 13 lb Radiator cap can be purchased at any auto parts store.
always check the coolant at the Radiator cap,( be careful while hot), clamp off the return hose while checking.
Please feel free to call me anytime
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Hello Orman,
I would like to get some fluid, if you're in Seattle?